/ 





1 




THE HENNEPIN BI-CENTENARY 



ACCOUNT OF THE CELEBRATION 



BY THE 



/ 






OF THE 



TWO HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY 



OF THE 



DISCOVERY OF THE FALLS OF ST. ANTHONY, 



BY LOUIS HENNEPIN. 



rPROM THE ST, PAUL DAILY GLOBE, JULY 4, 1880,J 



SAINT PAUL 

GLOBE P:^INT. 

1880. 




> 



1 I 3 



Nw 



The Bay We Celebrated. 

Louis Hennepin, a Franciscan (Recollect) 
mis3ionary, was born at Ath, Belgium, about 
1640, and died in Holland subsequent to 
1690. After his entrance to the Franciscan 
order he traveled through Germany and Italy 
and was then for a year settled at Hal in Bel- 
gium. Then his superiors sent hitL to Artois, 
whence he visited Calais and Dankirk and at 
these places acquired a taste for the sea by 
intercourse with sailors. It was an age of 
adventurous explorers by sea, and sailors 
were to be met at almost every port who 
knew more of tlie world than was taught in 
the schools where Hennepin was edu- 
cated, and whose narratives of the strange 
lands and peoples they had seen were 
stranger than the most romantic of the nar- 
ratives of the fathers he had read. From 
Artois he went to Holland, and for eight 
months had charge of a hospital at \Iaes- 
tricht. At the battle of Senef, between the 
Prince of Conde and William of Orange, in 
1674, he was present as a regimental chap- 
lain. The next year he was ordered to Can- 
ada, and embarked at LaKochelle with Bish- 
op Laval and the Sieur de LaSalle, with 
whom he became a favorite. For some 
time he preached at Quebec, and then in 
1676 he was sent to take charge of 
the Indian mission at Fort Fontenac, (com- 
manded by La Salle,) where the city of 
Kingston, Canada, now stands. While there 
he visited the Indians of the Five Nations 
ani the Datoh settlemant at Albiuy. la 
1678, having meantime returned to Qaebeo, 
he was attached to the expedition of La 
Salle, designed to find the month of tbe 
Mississippi and establish colonies ; and on 
AugQSt 7, 1679, embarked on Lake Erie with 
La Salle, and his command, on board a ves- 
sel b ilt for their lake voyage. They sailed 
over Lakes Erie, Huron and Michigan, and 
by canoes (and pjrtages) followed the St. 
Joseph's, Kankakee and Illinois rivers, and 
built Fort Crevecceur near the present 
present site of Peoria. From here, while 
La Salle returned to FortFrontenac for sup- 
plies. Father Hennepin was charged with a 
voyage of discovery to the sources of the 
Mississippi, which had not then been ex- 
plored above the mouth of the Wisconsin. 
Accompanied by Picard du Gay and Michael 
Ako, he set out in a canoe February 29, 1680, 
followed the Illinois to its mouth, and 
ascended the Mississippi, was taken captive 
by the Sioux, and while a captive with them, 
saw the Falls of St. Anthony, and gave them 
their name in honor of his patron saint. 

Subsequently, after his return to Europe 
and publication of his narrative of 
La Salle's (first) expedition, and 
his own explorations, with a description 
of the upper Mississippi country, on account 
of disobedience, he was forced to leave the 
service of France and is said to have enter- 
ed the service of William III. of Eagland. 



About 1697 he abandoned the clerical dress 
but to the end of his life subscribed to his 
name "Recollect Missionary and Apostolic 
Notary. 

Hennepin was one of the many who are 
types of that age of discovery, a bold, light 
hearted explorer, but an enthusiast, a quaint 
writer, bat so far as his description of the 
upper Missisippi country and its 
Indians can be identified with our later 
knowledge, a remarkably correct narrator. 
Bat a book, purporting to be a second edi- 
tion of his narration, which was published 
in Utrecht after, or about the time he is said 
to have gone into the service of the English 
king, contains a manifestly false interpola- 
tion — an account of a voyage down the Mis- 
sissippi to the Gulf of Mexico, which Hen- 
nepin could not have made. Because of this 
Father Hennepin has been bitterly de- 
nounced by various historians. Bancroft, 
for an extreme instance, says that 
Hennepin " is now remembered, not mere- 
ly as a light hearted, ambitious, daring 
discoverer, but also as a boastful liar." 

The Historical Society of Miunesjta, who 
have had occasion to verify Hennepin's ori- 
ginal narration, and found it substantially 
correct, being also in pjssesion of inform i- 
tion that the researches of a competent 
American bisfcorian and antiqaarian (John 
Gilmary Shea) hava cleared away the Ucrecht 
interpellation and o«-her matters, so that the 
first white man in Minnesota may without 
doubt be regarded as a worthy example of 
the missionary priests of his lime, has had 
no hesitation in giving to Minnesota as a 
day of festivil and congratulauon, the two 
handredth anniversary of Father Hennepin's 
most striking achievement, from which dates 
the begining of the history of our Lcloved 
State. 

In celebrating the day, (fixed for conven- 
ience in absence of knowledge as to the pre- 
cise day on which the Recollect missionary 
in 1680 first saw and named the great falls 
of the Mississippi,) our Historical Society 
celebrated the birthday of Minnesota and 
the new Northwest of to-day. In honoring 
Hennepin they honored the class to whicn 
he belonged — those brave clergymen of two 
centuries ago who came with the first of white 
men into the heart of our continent and who 
were at once explorers, historians of discov- 
ery and heralds and martyrs of religion. 



Minneapolis . 

The young giant city at the Fails of St. 
Anthony has seconded the purpose of the 
Historical Society, with liberality of expendi- 
ture and heartiness of hospitality, to which 
must mainly be attributed tbe great success 
of the celebration. For details of the elab- 
orate preparations for the event and of the 
entertainment of all attending it from abroad, 
the reader Is referred to the particular ac- 
counts below of the proceedings of the day. 



It will suffice to say here, and to avoid repe- 
tition, that in every respect the public-spir- 
ited citizens of Minneapolis won honor for 
themselves in honoring their guests of tho 
day. 

IN GALA ATTIKE. 

The city of Minneapolis never saw such a 
day as yesterday. It almost appeared as 
though the inanimate earth on which the 
city is bailt — her magnificent blocks of build- 
ings, her immense mills and even tne grand 
falls themselves, were aware that something 
more than ordinary was taking place. The 
broad avenues were teeming with life, and 
every artery of the city pulsated witn a glad 
and gleesome feeling, which developed itself 
in the smiling countenances of her citizens, 
and with the outward emblems of a general 
rejoicing. Most of the business houses and 
many private dwellings were decorated with 
flags, evergreens, etc., all testifyingto the- 
general joy felt by all. In fact it was Min 
neapolis' "Saturday out " and she enjoyed it. 
The privacy of home and the conventionali- 
ties of society which ordinarily '-doth hedge 
us in" were tor the nonce laid aside, and ail, 
whether old or young, regardless of previous 
condition, gave themselves up to a gala day. 
The moving tide of humanity, the gayly 
decked blocks of buildings, the floating stirs 
and stripes and the general air of pleasure 
everywhere visible, conspired to give the lo- 
cality a holiday appearance never seen be- 
fore. Certainly not since the day Father 
Hennepin looked upon it and pronounced it 
good, two hundred years ago. 

The Qrand frjceanion. 

The official programme for the day had 
announced that the procession would be 
formed promptly at 9 a. m. Committees of 
arrangements may propose, but it not infre- 
quently happens that ttiose who take part in 
pageants of this character, dispose of time 
to SQit their convenience. It so happened 
yesterday. As early as 8 o'clock all the 
principal streets of tne city were tilled with 
people on foot, in oarrriagee, on horseback 
and in arms, waiting for tne procession to 
form. It was somehow understood that 
General Sherman, Secretary Kamsey and 
the other notables were to arrive at an early 
hour at the University, and come from 
thence to the Nicollet hotel, where arrange- 
ments were to be made for assigning them 
positions in the grand procession. An im- 
mense throng of people assembled in front 
of the hotel and for over an hour waited pa- 
tiently, in the broiling sun, to 
catch a glimpse of the distinguished 
visitors. About half past ten their 
curiosity was gratified, for at that hour a 
number of carnages, containing Gen. Sher- 
man, Secretary Kamsey, Hon. E. B. Wash- 
burne and other distinguished gentlemen 
drove to the main entrance of the hotel. The 
features of nearly all were familiar to the j 



dense throng, and as they alighted from 
their carriages they were greeted with a 
succession of cheers. A fesv moments were 
spent in the parlors of the Nicollet to allow 
for introductioas, refreshments, etc., when 
the party once more took their placss in car- 
riages and proceeded to Bridge Sqaare where 
the grand procession was formed in the fol- 
lawing order, under the command of Gen. T. 
L. Kosser, marshal of the diy assisted by 
some aides: 

THE ORDER OF PROCESSION: 

Gen. Kosser, Marshal of the Day and Aide, Of- 
ficer Hoy. 
Platoon of Sixteen Minneapolis Police. Com- 
manded by Sersreant West. 
Great Western Union Band. 
Bon. W. D. Washburn and Mayor Rand in Car- 
riages. 
General W. T. Sherman and Secretary of War 
Ramsey. 
Governor Pillsbary. 
Ex-Governor C. C. Washburn, and Rev. Mr. 

NeiU. 
Bon. E. B. Washborne, D. Morrison and An- 
thony Kelly. 
Members of the City Council. 
Members of the County Board. 

City and County Officials. 

Hon. W. S. Kinf and Friend. 

Furt Snelliug Military Band. 

Two Companies U. S. Regulars. 

Veterans of the War for the Union. 

Mounted Zouave Lancers. 

Zjuave Drum Corps and Band. 

Minneapolis Zouaves. 

Minneapolis Light Infantry. 

St. John the Baptiste Society. 

Swede Brothers Society. 

Odd Fellows' Encamoment. 

North Star Lodge, I. O. O. F. 

Sons of Herman. 

Father Matthew Cadets. 

Father Matthew T. A. B. Society. 

Woman's Christian Temperance Union. 

Father McGolrick and Priests. 

Citizens in Carriages. 

It required some time to bring order out of 
the chaotic mass, which had not only filled 
Bridge Square, bat ail the streets adjacent 
(vith a surgmg tide of humanity on foot, in 
carriages and in every other species of con- 
veyance. The throng had come -from the 
north and south, from the east and from the 
west," all intent upon seeing all they could 
and taking part in this pageantry. The 
^'rand marshal and his aids had a most 
diflicult task to perform, but they finally 
succeeded, and the orocession took up its 
line of march across the suspension bridge, 
m the order above given. When the car- 
nage containing Gen. Sherman and Secre- 
tary Ramsey reached the eastern end of the 
bridge, and the vast crowd recognized the 
familiar countenances, cheer after cheer 
greeted the two distinguished men. who 
manage and control the military arm of this 
great republic. This hearty greet - 
mg was continued all along the line 
of march, and was responded to by both 
gentlemen rising and bowing in resoonse. 
They rode in a splendid English drag drawn 



by four beaatiful horses gaily comparisoned 
and driven by Mr. K. F. Jones, the owner of 
the magnificent turn out. 

Words are inadequate to describe the ap- 
pearance of the procession and the streets 
along the line of march. The sidewalks and 
the streets also were a complete moving mass 
of humanity of all ages and both sexes. The 
suspension bridge never before was put to 
such a test, and hereafter it may be consid- 
ered safe. Every available space was occu- 
pied by people on foot, while for fully a half 
hour the driveway was filed with two lines of 
carriages from end to end. The scene on 
University avenue when the proc3Ssion was 
passing, baffles disoription. The pro- 
cession formed across the street, but on 
either side of it was dense throngs 
of carriages, four or five abreast, while 
the sidewalks and private grounds 
of the residents were crowded with men, 
women and children. At every street cross- 
ing numbers of vehicles were added to th'^ 
throng, and yet all moved on, slowly it is 
true, but without accident. Gen. Sherman 
was of course the lion of the day, and next 
to him came in for many compliments, a 
number of the organizations that formed a 
part of the procession. The Union Great 
Western Band; the Seventh Infantry Band 
from Fort Snelling, and the Mmneapolis 
Zouave Band, Drum corps, elicited well de- 
served praise for their excellent music and 
splendid appearance. Companies C, K, and 
H, of the Seventh Infantry, under command 
of Major Benham, marched as only veterans 
can. The Minneapolis Z iuaves made a fine 
appearance in their strange uniform, and the 
squad of mounted Lancers of the same or- 
ganization were a marked feature of the pro- 
cession. The Union Francaise of St. Paul, 
who turned out 150 strong, and were led by 
the Great Western Band, did themselves 
proud, being the largest 

organization in the line, Saffice it 
to say that it was a grand demonstration in 
which not only the cities of St. Paul and 
Minneapolis but the country for miles 
around united. 

Over the entrance to the University 
grounds a grand arch had been erected beau- 
tifully ornamented with the national colors 
and evergreens, and bearing the inscription, 
"Soyez les Bienvenus." 

The Avpearance of the Grounds. 
While a J many were waiting on the avenue 
some hundreds had gathered on the Uni- 
versity campus at an early hour, and before 
the head of the procession arrived at the 
green arch, under which it entered upon the 
field, thousands were assembled. The spa- 
cious campus — overlooking the river and 
falls, and a goodly part of the city — covered 
with a fiae sward and shaded by noble trees^ 
was supplied for the occasion with a covered 
stand for the Historical Society and its guests 



and seats for the audience, and also with 
numerous tables for free refreshment 
of visitors, and with many 

tents for their shelter and entertainment. 
Around the north and west sides of the 
campus were arrange! the various tents and 
headquarters of the different bodies faking 
part in the celebration. A short distance 
from the main entrance to the grounds, on 
the righ*-, was located seven tables, each 210 
feet in length. These tables were loaded 
with substantial f©od, enough to feed thou- 
sands, and thousands were fed at this hos- 
pitable board. All were invited, and among 
the many thousands there not one went 
away hungry, except at his or her accord. 
This branch was under the supervision of 
George A. Brackett. Esq., and he managed 
it with a method and a beaming hospitality 
that will be long remembered by thousands 
whom he fed. In fact it may be said that 
all went away prepared to say: "I was a hun- 
gered and ye gave me meat; I 
was thirsty and he gave me drink, 
I was a stranger, and ye took me in " Pass- 
ing on down to the right was a tent reserved 
for the members of the council of the cities. 
Under this canvas were two tables, sufficient 
to accommod ate the number expected to be 
present, and supplied with good things 
enough to satisfy even an alderman's stom- 
ach. 

Next to this was a ca:-iopy supplied with 
chairs, where the weary might find rest. 

Then came the grand tent, under which 
Governor Pillsbury had provided a repast 
for the distinguished visitors and the mem- 
bers of the Historical Society. Under this 
large canopy was fifteen tables arranged in 
circular form. The tent was tastefully dec- 
orated with the national colors and ever- 
greens, and the tables were adorned with a 
profusion of flowers, presenting a picture of 
great beauty. Under this canvas the Governor 
received and feasted his friends after the 
formal exercises were over. Never before 
did such a collection of distinguished men 
and fair women meet within sight and sound 
of St. Anthony Falls. Connected with this 
was another tent, where, during the entire 
day, such refreshments as lemonade, sand- 
wiches, etc., were dispensed to the hungry 
and thirsty. 

A number of other tents were scattered 
around for the accmmodation, conven- 
ience and comfort of ladies, the various visit- 
ing organizations, etc., etc. Probably the 
most important of these tents were two — one 
large and handsomely fitted up where ladies 
could obtain lemonade, ices, etc., and the 
other called the "house that Jack built," for 
gentlemen, where they could obtain a 
bountiful supply of ice water. In this tent 
they had on exhibition specimens of water 
said to have been bottlel by Father Henne- 
pin at the time he discovered the fails. It 
had improved wonderfully with age. A 
large number tasted it (purely out of curios- 



ity) and they informed the Globe reporter 
that it was not bad to take. 

Many columns might be filled with 
accounts of all there was to be seen and 
done on the grounds. The imagination of 
the reader must supply the deficiency. It is 
suflBcient to say that the citizens of Minn- 
eapolis, both in their private and corporate 
capacity, dispensed a boundless hospitality on 
the occasion, and all, the many thousands 
present, went away satisfied that it was good 
for them to be the^e. 



1 he Society and Its Quests. 
It was about 10:30 a. m. when the head of 
the procession arrived on the grounds, and 
some time was necessarily taken in placing 
the military and societies, and in seating the 
people, who wished to listen to the oration 
and addresses. Meantime the Historical So- 
ciety and its guests were seated upon the 
grand stand. Among this notable company 
the following were recognized 

from the reporter's table: Gen. 
H. H. Sibley of St. Paul, president of 
the Historical Society; Hon. Alex. 
Ramsey, Secretary of War; Gen. W. T. 
Sherman, U. S. A. ; Archbishop Tache of 
St. Boniface, Manitoba ; Bishop La Fleche, 
of Three Rivers, Lower Canada ; Bishops 
Grace and Ireland,St. Paul ; Mgr. J. dt- Neve 
Rector of the American College, Louvain, 
Belgium ; Rev. Fr. Desaulniers, St. Bonaven- 
tnre, Canada; Rev. G. Dagast, St. Boniface, 
Manitoba ; Rev. J. A. Andre, Inver Grove, 
Minnesota ; Rev. James McGolrick, Minne- 
apolis ; Justice Miller, of the U. S. Supreme 
court ; Judge GilfiUan of the State Su- 
preme court : Judge MoCrary of the U. S. 
Circuit court; Judge Nelson, of the U. S. 
District court ; Gen. Terry and other army 
officers from department headquarters. St. 
Paul ; Gen. Gibbon and officers of the 
Seventh Infantry, Fort Soelling ; CjI. Barry, 
Washington : Hon. E. B. Washbnrne, 
Galena, and Albert D. Hager, Chicago, the 
latter secretary, and both delegates 
ot the Chicago Historical Socie- 
ty ; Hon. C. H. Berry, Winona: 
Hon. John S. Pillsbury, Governor of Min- 
nesota.; Ex Gov. C K. Davis; Es-Gov. Wm. 
R. Marshall; Hon. C. C. Washburn, Wis- 
consin; Gen. R. W. Johnson, St. Paul; Hon. 
W. D. Washburn, Minneapolis: Hon. S. J. 
R. McMillan, U. S. Senator; Ex-Senator H. 
M. Rice: Mr. Sprague, of Minneapolis, a 
soldier of 1812; Rev. Mr. Riheldaffer, of the 
State Reform school; Rev. E. D. Neill. Mayor 
Rand, Wm. S. King, W. W. MoNair, Jno. 
H. Stevens, H. Mattson, O. Y. Tousley, D. 
Morrison and N. B. Harwood, all of Minne- 
apolis; I. Da Graff, Russell Blakeley, E. S. 
Goodrich, Edmund Rice, Fletcher Williams, 
H. L. Moss, L Y. D. Heard and J. B. Chaney, \ 
of St. Paul; Hon. O. P. Whitcomb, State 
auditor; Hon. D. Burt, superintendent of 
public instruction; and President Folwell 
and the Faculty of the State University. 



When Gen. Sherman escorted by Gen. 
Sibley, and Secretary Ramsey escorced by 
Gen. Terry, came upon the stand they were 
warmly applauded, and Gen. Sherman es- 
pecially seemed to be the favorite. In fact, 
throughout the exercises, he could hardly 
move without starting a round of applause. 
It was evident there was present a goodly 
number of the boys who marched through 
Georgia with Sherman. 

While the procession was marching into the 
campus, a salute was fired by a section of 
artillery from Fort Snelling: and as all ar- 
rangements were about concluded, at 11:35 
A. M., the Union Great Western band opened 
the exercises by playing the national airs, 
after which Gen. Sibley addressed the multi- 
tude. 

Gen. Sibley made a brief opening address 
which was followed by ex Gov. C. K. Davis, 
who delivered the oration of the day. Sec 
retary Ramsey, Gen. Sherman, Bishop Ire- 
land and Gen. Rosser followed with interest- 
ing addresses, and this concluded the speak- 
ing. 

[As it is the intention of the Society to in- 
clude the Oration, Poem, (fcs., in their next 
volume of Cjllections, they are omit- 
ted in this account.! 



From Labor to Refreshments. 

The ex rcises of the day being completed, 
while the military companies, societies and 
bands were entertained at their headquarters 
and visitors generally were supplied with 
refreshments at the taoles spread in the 
groves, the Historical Society and its guests 
with their ladies and many friends, were the 
guests ot Gov. Pillsbury in a grand marquee 
covfiing tables at which two or three hun- 
dred persons were seated and were fed boun- 
teously. After refreshments, G^n. Sherman 
and Gjv. Pillsbury were at home to every- 
body for a long time during which both gen- 
tleuieu had a steady succession of friendly 
greetings and hand-shakes. 

Slowly, at if loth to leave the place of 
pleasure, the organized companies and so- 
cieties gathered and marched away and the 
visitors and their hosts of the day one by 
one dropped away. But so great was the 
number present and so leisurely their de- 
parture that it was near night fall before the 
campus began to assume a deserted appear- 
ance. 

All the incidents and pleasures of the day 
could not be well descrit)ed in one issue of 
a journal, attempting also to give the gener- 
al news of the day. There were exhibition 
drills by the militia companies, interesting 
reunions, and pleasant social and personal 
events worthy of mention, which have to be 
omitted. In fact, while the great crowd was 
at and around the grand stand, there was 
enough going on on other parts of ihe field 
to have left a score of reporters busy. 

It was a great day for the Historical So- 
ciety, for Minneapolis, and for the Recollect 
Missionary of two hundred years ago. 






76%'}" S 



t7 



